Contessina Hotel

Style

Pool-centred serenity

Setting

Tsilivi shores

Somnolent sunbathing is the order of the day at Contessina Hotel — a restful retreat on the Ionian island of Zakynthos. Most of the rooms are set around the freshwater pool; the restaurant celebrates the divinity of Demeter and her harvest, and (less in keeping with the gods, but just as bountiful) the snacks and drinks keep coming via QR code, served straight to your squashy charcoal sunlounger.

Facilities

Rooms

160, including 78 suites.

Checkout

11am. Earliest check-in, 3pm.

More Details

Rates include breakfast.

Also

The communal areas have ramps for wheelchair access, but there are no specially adapted rooms.

Hotel Closed

The hotel is open between April and October.

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

Room Service

At the Hotel

Free WiFI throughout. In rooms: Nespresso coffee machine, TV, air-conditioning, fridge, free bottled water and Argan Source bath products.

Our Favourite Rooms

Most of the rooms have a view of the pool, so guests can ensure they’re not missing out on any fun. For swift access to a shared pool with day-beds suspended above it, book a Swim Up Pool Suite. Families will love the ground-floor Garden Suites, each of which has its own pool, terrace and space to sleep two adults and two children.

Poolside

The freshwater pool (and its bar) is the centrepiece of the hotel, and there’s a separate children’s pool, too – they’re open daily from 8am to 8pm.

Spa

Because one spa is never enough, guests can choose between the hotel's in-house spa or the spa at sister hotel Contessina Suites & Spa, just around the corner.

Packing Tips

Bring standard-issue Greek-island attire: bright, breezy linens, wind-withstanding hats and lots of suncream.

Children

All ages are welcome, but the pool area is more suitable for grown-up guests. Cots for babies are free.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Even at the hottest time of the day, there’s always a breeze-giving spot to be found on the terrace by the pool.

Dress Code

In Arcadia (imagine a gentle breeze is your accessory)

Hotel Restaurant

Named for the happiest point of the wine calendar (harvest), Vedema serves Greek and international favourites: expect classics like saganaki, souvlaki, Grandma’s stuffed vine leaves and island-produced cheese with marmalade – along with more refined dishes such as octopus carpaccio with truffle oil. Anyone really committed to their sunlounger will be pleased to hear that poolside refreshments can be ordered via QR code, with no loss of sunbathing time involved.

Hotel Bar

There’s a bar by the main pool – sun-worshippers can select from a two-pages-strong cocktail list, impressive whisky selection and, since this is Greece, 15 types of coffee.

Last Orders

Breakfast hours are 7.30am to 10.30am. Lunch is served between noon and 5pm, when dinner service takes over until 11.30pm. The bar is open until midnight.

Room Service

Salads, sandwiches and pastas can be delivered to your room between noon and 10.30pm.

Planes

The hotel is a 20-minute drive from the island’s international airport. Direct flights here land from all over Europe. Hotel transfers can be arranged on request.

Automobiles

This is the definition of a fly-and-flop destination, so you’ll be able to get by without a car – staff can help sort taxis and drivers. The furthest most visitors get is up the coast to Zakynthos/Zante Town, three miles away. Parking is available right next to the hotel.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Local musicians arrive for jazz and traditional ‘kantades’ nights, and staff arrange wine tastings and tea parties like the nobility of old enjoyed, picnics for days at Tsilivi beach (100 metres away), and send you on photo safaris to local beauty spots, say Navagio (AKA Shipwreck Beach), a turquoise cove with majestic limestone cliffs. They’ll also charter yachts for trips along the coast. Kalamaki Beach is another picturesque spot for laying your towel, or indulge your childish side with a visit to Tsilivi Water Park. Zante Town is a short drive away and it has a few interesting museums to nose around (the Byzantine Museum and the Museum of Dionysios Solomos & Andreas Kalvos will provide a good grounding in local history). Spot sea turtles and seals at the Marine Park in the south.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .